Just Like How the Night Falls (del Grico Series #1)

Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

Saw

Divulge: Famous actress Deeanne Almera caught cheating with Zanrell del Grico

An evil smile plastered on my face as I read the headline of the news I wrote. When I scrolled down, I saw a lot of hate comments about Zanrell, destroying the netizens' favorite love team.

"He's also trending on Twitter. Did you see it?" Cecil's voice was filled with enthusiasm; her lips were forming an annoying smile.

I didn't answer her so she spoke again. "You're so good, Ria. Keep it up! Soon, you'll be the heiress of Divulge kaya dapat ay mai-maintain mo ang ganitong performance," kumento niya na ikinawala ng ngiti ko.

Everyone in Divulge is expecting me to be the next owner of our agency since I am the only daughter of Dad. Little did they know... Dad doesn't want to put the agency under my name.

I won't ever forget about my Dad and Tito Drake's talk one time.

"What? You want my daughter to marry Drayven?" I heard Dad ask while talking to Tito Drake in our living room.

Tito Drake is Dad's best friend since high school. He has a son named Drayven, my childhood friend who likes me. I'll admit that Drayven is kind of annoying because of his girl-like attitude. I even thought, he was gay. Not until he confessed his feelings for me. As usual, I turned him down.

I was about to go out to get some fresh air when I heard that their topic was me. As an instinct, I hid just so I could eavesdrop. I knew it was wrong but I couldn't help it.

"Yeah," Tito Drake simply replied.

"Is this about merging our companies? You really think I'll give Divulge to her?" My Dad laughed. Napansin ko naman ang pagtataka ni Tito. "Nah. Ibibigay ko lang ang kompanya sa lalaki kong anak. Kailangang manatili na sa isang Texon nakapangalan ang Divulge," dugtong ni Dad na ikinatigil ng mundo ko.

Kamuntikan ko pang mabitawan ang hawak na helmet dahil sa pagkalugmok.

All this time I thought that Divulge would be mine in the future. Tapos... ganito ang maririnig ko kay Dad?

"Are you kidding me? Siya lang ang anak mo, Crim."

"Don't you underestimate me, Drake. Parang hindi mo 'ko kilala," natatawang sabi ni Dad.

My heart kept aching for Dad's dagger-like words and I hated it. Pinagsusuntok ko ang sariling dibdib, sinusubukang patigilin ang sakit na nadarama.

Since Mom's funeral, I never cried again. I swore not to cry again, especially because of others' words. But Dad's an exemption. His words mean a lot to me and hearing his insults was the same as a knife that kept on stabbing my pure heart. I was 16 at that time.

"I'd do everything just to save our family's company. Kahit pa ang pagkakaroon ng anak sa ibang babae. So, sure. I'll let Ria marry Drayven para naman may silbi siya kahit papaano sa 'kin."

Yes. I swore not to cry again but I broke my promise... all because of Dad.

"I need to go," paalam ko kay Cecil pagkatapos maalala ang masakit na nakaraan. I clenched my teeth as my blood boiled.

"Why? Kauumpisa pa lang nating mag-usap—"

"I have things to do," sabi ko na lang bago nagmamadaling umalis sa gazebo kung saan kami nag-usap ni Cecil.

I know, since then that I am useless in the eyes of my own father. He sees me as a liability that he needs to get rid of. Kahit gano'n, hindi ako tumigil. I did my very best to publish breaking news under Divulge. I did my very best to make Divulge famous—or should I say infamous? Still, I did everything for our agency to be well-known.

My mind was preoccupied with a lot of thoughts so I didn't notice that someone's standing on my way. Natigilan ako sa paglalakad nang makita ang isang bouquet ng lilies ang tumabon sa paningin ko. Kaagad akong nag-angat ng tingin dahil do'n.

I saw Gideon, Zanrell's friend, smiling at me. Beads of sweat are formed on his forehead while his eyes couldn't keep a straight look unto mine.

"F-For you," he muttered nervously. He gave me a smile again.

"Galingan mo naman!" Hindi pa man ako nakakapag-react, narinig ko na ang kantsaw sa kanya ng mga kaibigan niya sa gilid na nakaupo sa loob ng isa ring gazebo. Doon ko lang napansin na parehong gazebo 'yon kung saan ko sila nakita kahapon.

Hmm. So I think, that's their so-called lair.

Nang nilingon ko ang gazebo, nginitian ako ng ibang kaibigan ni Gideon. Again, Zanrell's in there and he's the only one who remains serious while intently staring at me. I'm pretty sure that he's suspecting me now because of his scandal.

Nag-iwas na lang ako ng tingin sa malamig niyang paninitig at itinuon ang pansin sa lalaking nasa harap ko ngayon.

"What for?" I asked the obvious.

"I-I just want to ask if... if I can court you. May I?" paalam ni Gideon.

Everyone's watching us right now. Some students are even taking a video.

I am not yet done with his friend so maybe I can use him?

Muling iminuestra sa 'kin ni Gideon ang bulaklak na hawak and this time, tinaggap ko 'yon. His eyes widened because of my abrupt action. Perhaps he heard about how I shamelessly ignore guys' gifts.

Hindi na 'ko nagsalita pa at walang paalam na umalis. Narinig ko naman na kaagad siyang dinaluhan ng kanyang mga tropa para kantsawan. I never looked back. Though many pairs of eyes were gazing at me, I just walked straight to our building.

The bouquet was calling so much attention that was why I decided to dispatch it as soon as I entered the building of my next class. It was pretty, yes. Plus, it's lilies na siyang paborito ko sa lahat ng bulaklak. But I hate getting so much attention.

When I got inside our building, I immediately looked for a trash bin to throw the flowers.

"How rude." Sakto namang pagkalagay ko sa basurahan ay napadpad ang tingin ko sa lalaking nakasandal sa pader at malamig ang tingin sa 'kin.

My eyes widened a bit when I saw Zanrell. What the hell is he doing here?! Parang kanina lang ay nasa gazebo siya ah?! Para siyang nag-teleport at naunahan niya pa 'ko rito.

Still, I tried not to show so much reactions and just stared at him using my expressionless look. Kahit na ang dami nang tanong na nabuo sa utak ko.

Did he run just to cross paths with me? What is he doing here? He's a Business Ad student! He should be at the college of business administration! Alam niya na kaya na ako ang nagpakalat ng news? And damn! He even caught me throwing his friend's bouquet!

Though I have so many questions in my head, I still managed to keep my s**t inside. "It's mine so you have no say if I wanna throw it or keep it."

He laughed without humor in his voice. Tumayo siya nang tuwid at hinarap ako. "Bakit mo pa kinuha kung itatapon mo rin naman?"

Okay. Keep calm, Ria. Don't let him get on your nerves.

"Ano ba'ng pakialam mo?" Pinantayan ko kung gaano kalamig ang tono niya. Pati paninitig niya'y sinubukan ko rin pantayan. I didn't avert my gaze even when his unique eyes were really intimidating. "Ano ba'ng ginagawa mo rito? You're a Business Ad student."

His tongue was in his cheek to restrain himself from smiling. Do'n ko na-realize ang sinabi ko. Damn!

"Hindi ko alam na ikaw ang tipo ng estudyanteng aalamin ang mga bagay-bagay tungkol sa ibang tao. O baka naman... impormasyon ko lang ang inalam mo?"

Oh damn!

Cecil warned me about this! Sa dami rin ng naging 'subject' ko, ngayon lang nangyari ang ganitong bagay. Kung bakit ba naman kasing hinayaan ko ang sarili kong mahuli ng bodyguards niya!

"Really?" Sometimes I really want to treat myself as being an expert in hiding my feelings. I managed to act like I don't give a damn when the truth is, I am having trouble within me.

"I saw you," he said, confirming my assumptions.

"Yeah because you have eyes," tanging sagot ko na lang pabalik para lang may masabi. Mabilis namang nagsalubong ang kilay niya dahil sa pagkairita sa pamimilosopo ko.

"You're the one who spread our pictures, aren't you?" He clenched his jaw. Sobrang lamig ng pagkakasabi niya na nagpatayo ng balahibo ko.

"I never thought that del Gricos are assumers."

"I'm not assuming. I saw you with my two eyes."

Fuck!

He took a step towards me as he looked down to see my eyes. I needed to look up just to meet his gaze too because he's taller than me. Hanggang dibdib niya lang ako kahit pa sabi ng iba'y matangkad na 'ko.

Kahit na wala nang maisagot pa, hindi pa rin ako nagpatalo kahit sa pakikipagtagisan ng tingin. Dahil naman sa paglapit niya, nakaagaw ng pansin ko ang pabango niyang nakaaadik amuyin. Hindi ito gaya ng pabango ng kanyang kaibigan kahapon na nakauubo sa sobrang tapang.

I flinched when he crouched a bit. Sobrang lapit niya na ngayon sa mukha ko. Hinihintay ko lang na may gawin siyang kakaiba dahil hindi ko talaga siya uurungan.

"Sa oras na mapatunayan ko ang ginagawa mo..." pananakot niya. Dahil sa distansya namin, naamoy ko rin ang napakabango niyang hininga.

I was lost for a moment but as soon as I came back to my senses, I pushed him away from me, harshly. "Just do what you want. I don't give a damn."

Naglakad na 'ko nang diretso at sinadya pa siyang sanggain.

'Tsaka lang ako nakahinga nang maluwag. Ano ba naman kasing mayro'n sa 'yo, del Grico!

I didn't tell that scene to anyone. Hindi rin naman ako 'yong tipo ng tao na palakuwento. I preferred keeping it to myself.

That moment was unexpected and kinda alarming but it ain't enough to stop me from destroying Zanrell's name. Mas na-motivate pa nga akong sirain lalo ang pangalan niya.

Two weeks have passed, laman siya ng TV, newspapers and even in social medias. Lalo pa't no'ng niligtas lang ni Deeanne ang sariling pangalan at ang loveteam na nagkalamat at pinalabas na si Zanrell ang may kasalanan kung bakit 'yon nangyari.

Inabot din ako ng two weeks kaaabang na gumawa siya ng ikadudungis ng pangalan niya pero mukhang nag-lie low siya. It's also fine. Kailangan ay mawala muna ang suspetsa niya na ako nga ang may pakana ng paglabas ng scandal nila ng sikat na aktres.

Now, just like what I did on the first night that I stalked him, I waited at the side of the gate of their own subdivision. I'm not sure if he will show but still, I'll take a risk.

For the past two weeks, maraming babae pa rin ang umaligid sa kanya despite of what happened. Still, hindi ko siya nakitang may sinamahan sa mga babaeng 'yon. Mukha rin namang hindi niya sineryoso ang kay Deeanne dahil hindi ko siya nakitaan ng lungkot sa nagdaang dalawang linggo.

Yesterday, I've heard that he's currently dating the famous singer under Lealde Records, which will be his, soon. The girl's name is Danica Hernandez. Noong nalaman ko ang tungkol do'n, na-realize ko na puro mga sikat na babae ang nali-link sa kanya. Hindi lang 'yon dahil wala talagang kapintasan.

I stopped thinking when I finally saw a familiar red Porsche having its way out of the exclusive subdivision. Muli kong isinuot ang helmet ko at tinanggal sa pagkaka-stand ang aking asul na Yamaha Mio Aerox.

I have a collection of motorcycles because it's my life. Some of those were gifts from my Mom's friends while some were from my own money that I earned from our gigs or prizes that I won from drag racing. Nakatatanggap din ako ng pera sa mga ginagawa kong news sa Divulge.

Hinintay kong dumaan muna ang bodyguards ni Zanrell at iba pang sasakyan bago ako nagpasyang sumunod.

Even when I am wearing a black pullover sweater, I still felt the coldness of the night. The cold wind became even colder as I drove fast. Amihan pa rin kasi ang hangin ngayong Enero.

Unlike the last time I followed Zanrell, he entered an exclusive subdivision this time. It made me wrinkle my forehead.

I thought he was heading to a bar or club?

I waited for another hour. Hindi ako p'wedeng pumasok sa subdivision. Sana lang talaga ay hindi siya mag-stay ro'n.

Fucking del Grico. Pahirap sa buhay.

While waiting, I took a hit of the cigarette I brought. Para na rin pakalmahin ang gigil ko kay Zanrell. Kanina pa kasi ako naghihintay sa labas ng subdivision nila and then now, pinaghintay ulit ako ng gago.

My phone vibrated. I checked it while waiting. There, I saw messages from unknown numbers and a message from Gideon.

Gideon

What about tomorrow night?

For the past two weeks, Gideon, Zanrell's friend, continued bugging me too. He continually gave me flowers but unlike the first time he did that, I didn't accept his gifts again. Akala ko'y dahil do'n ay titigil na siya pero hindi pa pala. Mukhang talagang pursigido siya. Nakapapagod din namang mangtaboy kaya hinayaan ko na lang at hihintayin na lang siyang sumuko.

Mabilis ko namang naipasok ang cellphone ko sa aking bulsa nang makita ang paglabas muli ng sasakyan ni Zanrell. Salamat naman!

Muli, sinundan ko 'yon. I followed his car till he parked at a Mall's parking lot. Hmm. Late-night date, maybe?

Nakumpirma ko ang nasa isipan nang makitang pinagbuksan niya ng pinto ang taong nasa passenger seat. There, I saw Danica, his rumored current girl. Siguro'y ito rin ang sinundo niya kanina sa isang subdivision.

As usual, I followed them secretly. I distanced myself in a way they wouldn't notice that I am following them. Mukhang planado na rin nila ang gabi nila ngayon dahil nang pumunta sila sa floor ng sinehan, hindi na nila kinailangan pang bumili ng tickets.

So manonood sila ng sine? Really, del Grico? Why so corny?

Nakangiwi akong bumili ng ticket ng pinasukan nilang cinema. Nalaman kong romantic movie pala ang panonoorin ng dalawa. Nakasusuka! I just wish, this ain't Zanrell's idea.

It's already past 9 in the evening and if I am not mistaken, 10 nagsasara ang mga mall. Kung hindi ba naman sila nasisiraan at manonood sila ng movie sa kapiranggot na oras. Or maybe... they're planning to rent the whole mall just to finish the movie that they'll watch? That's not impossible though. Sa yaman ba naman ng mga del Grico.

Pagkapasok ko ng cinema, kaunti na lang ang tao. Siguro'y mabibilang sa daliri. As usual, darkness was all over the place. Kamuntikan ko pang hindi mahanap ang dalawa dahil sa dilim at sa lawak ng lugar. Mabuti na lang ay nakarinig ako ng hagikhik ng malanding babae sa pinakataas na seats.

Really, Zanrell? I never thought that a del Grico would be this cheap. Making out inside a movie theater? Disgusting.

Anyway, this is my advantage as well. If ever I catch them making out, people will bash him even more. Imagine jumping from one famous individual to another in just a span of two weeks?

I hid for them not to see me. Fortunately, there were no annoying bodyguards of him. Madali kong magagawa ang balak ko.

I sat on the seat two rows away from them, sapat na para makuhanan sila ng litratong naghahalikan. What's more interesting is I even captured him, molding the girl's breast. Danica's wearing a tube and it's now on her belly, showing her wholesome t**s.

I almost p**e because of Danica's flirty moans. Disgusting! Kahit gano'n, kahit sukang-suka na 'ko sa ginagawa nila, nanatili ako para makakuha ng maraming litrato.

After I took several images, I immediately went out of the cinema. Luckily, I thought no one noticed what I just did. Wala nga ring nakasita sa 'kin sa loob kanina. But when I tried to review the images I got when I got home...

My heart throbbed so fast with my eyes widened while looking at one picture.

The picture shows how Danica looks so pleased while Zanrell is kissing her neck and playing with her tit. What's shocking is... Zanrell's directly looking at my camera with his serious and cold eyes!

Did he see what I did? He saw me again?!